Shepherd Neame's beers among the delights on offer at Broadstairs Food Festival

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame is proud to be among the sponsors of Broadstairs Food Festival this autumn.

The vibrant celebration of local flavours, which brings together artisan producers, passionate foodies and top chefs for a weekend of culinary delights, will take place from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5.

Broadstairs is home to three of the brewer’s pubs and hotels – the Royal Albion Hotel, Wrotham Arms, and Neptune’s Hall – all a short distance from the 100 stalls featuring local and regional produce which will be at Victoria Gardens over the weekend.

A selection of Shepherd Neame’s award-winning beers, including Whitstable Bay Lager, Spitfire Lager, First Drop and seasonal favourite Late Red, will be available at the Festival Bar.

Shepherd Neame will also be among five Kent breweries taking part in a tutored tasting of green hop ales – only available at this time of year as they use freshly harvested instead of dried hops - in the Festival Theatre from 4pm to 5pm on Saturday (October 4). 

Senior Brewer and Quality Manager Stewart Tricker will present Hop Pocket (4.5%), which uses hops harvested from Parsonage Farm in Boughton-under-Blean, just a few miles from the Faversham Brewery. Tickets for the event are priced £12 per person, including five half pints of green hop ale, available from the festival website.

The festival, which was launched in 2008, is managed as a not-for-profit community interest company, run by volunteers.

Shepherd Neame’s Director of Marketing and Communications Kathryn Tye said: “As a business, we are committed to using and championing local produce and suppliers, so we are delighted to support Broadstairs Food Festival. 

“The event provides a fantastic boost to the town, attracting hundreds of visitors over the weekend, and we look forward to joining in the celebrations in our three local pubs.”

Shepherd Neame’s partnership with the event also includes a chance to win an overnight stay for two at one of its pubs and hotels.

For more information about the festival, and to buy tickets for the tutored tasting, visit https://broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk/